Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here:
Cookie Policy

Cool cars that won’t cost a fortune (at least, not to buy…)

Author/Source: Kim Henson

14th December 2017

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Jeep (and other cars) on the Cheap! Ten attractive vehicles that you can buy this Christmas for less than the price of an iPhone X…

London, 14th December 2017 – The iPhone X is the must-have cool gadget this Christmas, but retailing at £1,000, this slice of cutting edge tech doesn’t come cheap. So, how about spending the money on a cool car instead?

Car buying comparison site Motorway.co.uk has researched the used car market and found 10 vehicles that possess a cool quality, whether it’s because they were classic cars of their time or because of their quirky design. All these vehicles can be purchased today for the price of an iPhone X or less.

The Jaguar XJ is one of the most iconic British cars ever built, instantly recognisable by car aficionados. Motorway.co.uk has found a 2004 XJ8, with 204,000 miles on the clock, currently for sale for just £595 (please click HERE to view). It may not last another 100,000 miles, and it may not past its next MOT, but (they say), who cares when you’re cruising through town in a motor this cool?

Or how about the sporty MG MGF, which was launched in 1995 to worldwide acclaim? It quickly shot to the top of sports car bestseller charts and Motorway has found a 1996 MGF on the market for just £690 (please click HERE to view).

Alternatively, what about a VW Beetle Cabriolet? Yours for £690 (please click HERE to view).

The following table shows ten cool cars recently valued on Motorway.co.uk that you can currently purchase for the price of an iPhone X or less (links to cars available on request):

Brand

Model

Mileage

Year

Price (£)

Jaguar

XJ8

208,000

2004

595

Chrysler

PT Cruiser

78,000

2008

655

MG

MGF

95,000

1996

690

Volkswagen

Beetle Cabriolet

154,000

2005

690

Alfa Romeo

T Spark Lusso

147,000

2003

795

Jeep

Cherokee CRD Sport Auto

147,000

2004

795

Mini

Cooper Hatch

130,000

2005

900

Mitsubishi

Shogun Pinin

11,000

2003

999

SsangYong

Rodius 2.7

102,000

2008

1,000

Triumph

TR7

57,000

1981

1,000

The £1k used car market

Motorway.co.uk has also had a look at the £1,000 or less used car market as a whole, to see the size of the market for anyone thinking a grand would be better spent on a car than a phone.

On the Auto Trader website, there are just under 11,000 cars (10,792) for sale at £1,000 or less. Of those, the car makes that top the list in terms of numbers are Ford (1,817), Vauxhall (1,666) and Renault (1,005). It’s even possible to pick up luxury brands for less than £1,000, with Auto Trader currently listing 221 BMWs, 218 Mercedes, 175 Audis and 104 Jaguars.

If you’re hoping to pick up a car for less than £1,000, then something has to give in terms of the condition and specification. Not surprisingly, the majority of these cars have been around the block a few thousand times. Half have more than 100,000 miles on the clock and just 95 have covered less than 35,000 miles.

“When we looked into the £1,000 used car market, we were surprised by the sheer number of cheap cars for sale that were cool when bought new a few years back and are even cooler today.

If you can see past a few miles on the clock and the odd mechanical failure, you can pick up a little piece of auto history for less than the price of an iPhone X. Not only that, but it may last more than a year before needing an upgrade!”

Kim comments… “There are many interesting, enjoyable to drive and potentially reliable cars available for low asking prices, if you are not worried about not having the latest model. If you are prepared to check the vehicle VERY carefully, you could end up with a real bargain. HOWEVER, my advice is to closely check the history of the car, also to ensure that at the very least it is structurally solid and safe, with sound mechanical units too. If in doubt, have the vehicle checked by a mechanic or a truly knowledgeable friend before you buy. A low asking price doesn’t necessarily mean a cheap car, especially if the one you buy is on its last legs!” (Guess how I know?).

Contributors

Contributors to the site include talented, highly-respected people (so they tell me) on the hallowed membership list of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and from the similarly well thought-of Western Group of Motoring Writers. In addition there are valued contributions from other knowledgeable and capable motoring writers who have something useful to say about all aspects of driving and running vehicles in the 21st Century. All of our team are passionate about motor cars!